Emma Bloomberg tells CCA students: ‘Find one small way to show up’
The Murmuration founder said students balancing classes, work and family responsibilities should begin with one manageable act of community involvement.
“Find one small way to show up that fits into your life,” Emma Bloomberg, founder and CEO of Murmuration, said in a written response about community involvement for Community College of Aurora students.
I asked Bloomberg what advice she would give community college students who want involvement to become a consistent part of their lives despite limited time and few clear ways to participate.
Bloomberg said students should not wait for “the perfect opportunity.”
“Ask a professor, classmate, or friend what they’re involved in and join them once,” she said.
Bloomberg founded Murmuration to provide technology and data infrastructure to organizations working in local communities. The organization initially focused on K-12 public education before expanding to groups working across a range of community issues, according to an interview published on Murmuration’s website.
Murmuration’s Civic Pulse research initiative surveys 500 people across the country each day about subjects including well-being, community belonging, civic behavior and political awareness. Its 2025 annual report says the initiative surveyed 171,166 people that year and continues to add about 500 respondents each day.
“At Murmuration, we talk to 500 people across America every day through our Civic Pulse research initiative, and we consistently hear that communities are stronger when people show up for one another,” Bloomberg said.
Murmuration describes civic life as broader than voting. Civic Pulse examines whether people feel connected to their communities, believe their actions matter and participate in civic life beyond elections.
Bloomberg spoke at the 2026 Aspen Ideas Festival during “Courage Can Save US,” a session about people entering public service and community leadership. Other speakers included With Honor CEO Rye Barcott and Leadership for Educational Equity Executive Director Mike Buman.
At CCA, the Student Leadership and Development webpage lists a Day of Service each semester and monthly nonpartisan events focused on civic education and participation. It also lists Student Government Association, Rotaract, the NAACP and other student-led organizations as ways to become involved.
Bloomberg acknowledged that participation can be difficult to place alongside a student’s other obligations.
“As students, you’re balancing classes, work, family, and everything else life demands, so community involvement can feel like something you’ll get to someday,” she said.
Her advice was to start with a single action rather than waiting until a student has more time.
“You may discover that the smallest act of showing up not only strengthens your community, but also changes how you see your own ability to shape the future,” Bloomberg said.
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